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History of Challenge Day

The Challenge Day program was originally created in 1987, and since that time hundreds of thousands of young people have seen the power of commitment and compassion transform their schools and their communities. As the program grew, the Challenge Day organization was formed in January of 2001. It operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt organization. Since its inception, the Challenge Day program has received numerous awards from the Juvenile Justice System, the D.A.R.E. Officers Association, numerous government officials, and many school districts and cities nationwide. The Challenge Day program has been featured in the New York Times best seller, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and the Oprah Show.

The local Central Florida Circle of Change organization began in early 2007, as a volunteer group to support bringing Challenge Day to all the high schools and middle schools in the 25 counties in Central Florida.  Membership in the local Circle of Change is open to everyone.

“Challenge Day taught me how to open up myself to other people.  I used to close myself and acted like someone I wasn’t.  After Challenge Day, I started to be myself.”   - Central Florida Student